Moreton-in-Marsh is a busy Cotswold town and transport hub for the northern Cotswolds. It has a wide High Street with many buildings constructed from the local honey-coloured stone which makes the Cotswolds area so picturesque. A large market is held in the High Street on Tuesdays.
TI Tel. 01608 650881.
gloucestershirecommunityrail.org | www.cotswolds.info | www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk
Moreton-in-Marsh is a good place to stay for exploring the picturesque villages and countryside of the northern Cotswolds by public transport. There are direct trains from London (Paddington), Oxford and Worcester. Bus services from the station forecourt operate to the picturesque Cotswolds market towns of Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold, plus the popular villages of Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway. Buses also operate further afield to Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Accommodation in Moreton-in-Marsh (with distance from station, see map below):
White Hart Royal Hotel (¼ mile) Redesdale Arms Hotel (¼ mile) Swan Inn (½ mile) Manor House Hotel (½ mile) Cottages from Cotswolds Hideaways Cottages from holidaycottages.co.uk Cottages from National Trust holidays
If you are looking for an organised day trip to the Cotswolds the Cotswolds Tour conveniently departs from Moreton-in-Marsh station. It will give you a taste of the beautiful countryside, picturesque villages and attractive towns nearby, including some free time for lunch and shopping.
A small museum dedicated to the former Royal Air Force base at Moreton-in-Marsh.
Exhibits include aircraft parts, books, paintings and photographs.
Open Mar-Nov, Sun 1000-1600.
www.wellingtonaviation.org
One of the largest private tree collections in the country with snowdrops, spring bulbs and
wildlife to see as well as the trees. Views across the Evenlode Valley. Events programme. Cafe.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.batsarb.co.uk
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from station forecourt to end of drive (watch for sign on the right)
then ¾ mile walk. 5 minutes journey, M-S about every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
The Monarch's Way path may be muddy, it is 2½ miles via the A44.
Birds of Prey with daily flying demonstrations.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily from 1030, see website for demonstration times.
www.cotswold-falconry.co.uk
Bus see Batsford Arboretum above.
A garden with herbaceous borders, spring-fed water features and topiary. Refreshments (May-Sep).
Open Apr-Oct, TWThF 1000-1700. Closed Easter weekend and BH.
www.bourtonhouse.com
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from station forecourt to Bourton-on-the-Hill, 6 minutes journey.
M-S about every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
The disinctive Mogul syle House was built in 1805. It is surrounded by a Repton landscape
including a series of spring-fed pools. Guided tours of the house, these must be booked.
Open House May-Sep, WThF & BH 1100-1700. Garden Jan-Nov, WThF & BH 1100-1600 (1700 May-Sep).
www.sezincote.co.uk
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from station forecourt to end of drive (watch for Batsford Arboretum sign on the right)
then 1 mile walk along drive. 5 minutes journey, M-S about every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
An ancient country house with Cotswold stone walls and faded elegant interiors.
Built in the 17th century as a display of wealth by a prosperous wool merchant the house remained relatively unchanged as
the family became increasingly impoverished. It is now a time capsule of 400 years of family life. Garden.
Traditional dovecote in the field opposite. Refreshments are sometimes available at the adjacent church.
Open Mar-Oct, WThFSSu 1300-1700.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton
Bus 801 from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above)
alight almost immediately after the turning for Little Compton, opposite a row of cottages, there's no marked stop.
Then 1 mile walk along minor roads. About 10 minutes bus journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2 hourly.
Operated by Pulhams Coaches.
Broadway is a large Cotswolds village with a wide High Street lined with a picturesque mixture of Tudor, Stuart and Georgian buildings.
It is known as the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds'.
The Cotswold Way National Trail passes through Broadway.
Broadway is a good place to stay if you are happy to explore the area by bus or on foot. If you are travelling to Broadway from London
I recommend taking a train to Moreton-in-Marsh then bus (or pre-booked taxi) from the station forecourt.
Bus 1/1A from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above)
to Broadway High Street. 27 minutes journey, M-S about every 3 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Evesham and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Accommodation in Broadway:
Russell's Lygon Arms Broadway Hotel Crown & Trumpet Inn
A branch of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, this museum has
exhibits with connections to the local landscape and Broadway's history, including paintings, tapestries and
ceramics. Exhibitions programme.
Open MTWThSSu & BH 1000-1630.
www.broadwaymuseum.org.uk
Bus see Broadway above.
The Museum celebrates the life and work of the designer Gordon Russell and his Company.
The museum is housed in the original workshop and its furniture collection covers a range of styles
including Arts and Crafts, Modernism and Utility.
Open TWThFSSu 1000-1600.
www.gordonrussellmuseum.org
Bus see Broadway above.
A 16 mile standard gauge steam and diesel railway from Broadway to Cheltenham Race Course.
Heritage Trail at Toddington. Events programme. Tearooms at Winchcombe and Toddington stations.
Open please see website for operating days and train times.
www.gwsr.com
Bus see Broadway above.
Broadway Tower is a Capability Brown folly on an ancient beacon site.
There are exhibitions on three floors and dramatic views from the roof, on a clear day you can see 16 counties. Restaurant.
Open please see website.
www.broadwaytower.co.uk
Bus see Broadway above then 1½ miles uphill walk along the Cotswold Way.
The uphill walk can be avoided by alighting from the bus before Broadway at the turning for Broadway Tower Country Park (top of Fish Hill):
watch for a signposted left turning off the A44 at crossroads, about 15 minutes from Moreton-in-Marsh,
then walk ¾ mile along the minor road.
The map shows a walk continuing to the picturesque village of Snowshill and Snowshill Manor
before returning to Broadway.
Snowshill Manor contains an eccentric collection of historic and interesting objects collected by the artist and
architect Charles Wade who lived in the adjacent garden cottage (also open). Terraced garden. Café and picnic area.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1130-1630, Garden from 1100, admission by timed ticket.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor
Bus see Broadway above, then 2½ miles walk partly uphill.
The picturesque village of Snowshill is nearby and well worth visiting.
Ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1246. Museum with sculptures, stonework and
other finds from the site. Medieval wall-paintings in the adjacent parish church.
Owned by NT but managed and maintained by EH.
Open Apr-Oct, WThFSSu 1000-1700. See website for Nov-Mar.
www.english-heritage.org.uk |
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hailes-abbey
G-W Railway from Broadway, see above, trains stop by request at Hayles Abbey Halt (note spelling),
½ mile from the Abbey. See the guard in good time (before Toddington) to request a stop. When returning hold your arm out
as the train approaches (like hailing a bus) - avoid waving as this may be mistaken for excitement at seeing a steam train!
Chipping Campden is a small market town in the northern Cotswolds with an elegant High Street of historic buildings of the local honey-coloured stone, including the Market Hall built in 1627. Chipping Campden is a good place to stay if you are happy to explore the area by bus or on foot. If you are travelling from London I recommend a train to Moreton-in-Marsh then bus (or pre-booked taxi) from the station forecourt. Note that Campden is pronounced 'Camden'.
The Cotswold Way National Trail starts at Chipping Campden and passes Dover's Hill where there are good views over the Vale of Evesham, the viewpoint is 1¼ miles from the bus stops.
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above) to Chipping Campden High Street, Town Hall. 30-50 minutes journey, M-S about every 2 hours. For the return journey note that buses 1/1A and 2/2A leave from different sides of the road, see map. Operated by Stagecoach. Buses also operate from Stratford-upon-Avon.
TI Tel. 01386 841206.
Accommodation in Chipping Campden:
Noel Arms Red Lion Inn Kings Hotel Eight Bells Inn
The story of the Arts and Crafts movement illustrated with many examples of the work of artists, designers
and craftspeople of the northern Cotswolds. Exhibitions programme.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1600.
www.courtbarn.org.uk
Bus to Chipping Campden.
The world-famous Arts and Crafts garden created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston.
The garden's colourful outdoor 'rooms' are full of surprises with many unusual plants. Café.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1100-1600 (1700 Apr-Sep).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above)
to Mickleton Three Ways (37-56 minutes journey) then 1½ miles uphill walk. M-S about every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Note After wet weather when the path is muddy you may prefer to walk 2 miles via the minor road.
The gardens were planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Colourful summer borders contrast with the tranquil sunken garden. Bluebell wood in early May. Refreshments.
Open May-Aug, MTWThSu 1200-1800. Apr & Sep, MWSu 1400-1800.
www.kiftsgate.co.uk
Bus see Hidcote.
Stow-on-the-Wold is a market town in the Cotswolds with many antique and craft shops. The large Market Square reflects the town's former
importance at the height of the Cotswolds wool industry when huge sheep fairs were held. The town becomes very busy when
Gypsy Horse Fairs are held in May and October on open fields a few minutes walk from the town centre.
Bus 801 from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above)
to Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square. 20 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2 hourly.
Operated by Pulhams Coaches.
Buses also operate from Cheltenham and Kingham.
Bourton-on-the-Water is a large but picturesque Cotswolds village, with several bridges over the River Windrush it is
known as the 'Little Venice' of the Cotswolds.
Bus 801 from Moreton-in-Marsh station forecourt (see map above)
to Bourton-on-the-Water High Street.
26 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2 hourly.
Operated by Pulhams Coaches.
Buses also operate from Cheltenham and Kingham.
Vintage cars and a large toy collection. Motorsports exhibition. Blacksmith's workshop.
Open Mar-Nov, Daily 1000-1800.
www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
A small replica of the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water built in local Cotswold stone.
Open Daily 1000-1800 (1600 Nov-Mar).
www.theoldnewinn.co.uk
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
A wide variety of birds including penguins, parrots, flamingos, owls and emus.
Dinosaur trail. Play area. Café.
Open Daily from 1000, see website for closing times.
www.birdland.co.uk
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
A yew maze with a pavilion at its centre. As well as navigating the maze there
are clues to solve to reveal a secret.
Open SSu 1000-1500.
www.thedragonflymaze.com
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
This cattle farm on the outskirts of the busy village is a tranquil nature reserve
with wildflower meadows and an archaeology walk.
Open Any reasonable time.
www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
The attractive villages of Lower Slaughter (1¼ miles)
and Upper Slaughter (2 miles) are a pleasant walk from Bourton-on-the-Water.
Follow the path from Bourton-on-the-Water Church, passing schools, then left onto Station Road to the A429 junction.
Cross at the traffic lights and walk a few yards to the right then left onto a surfaced path (the 'Warden's Way')
to Lower Slaughter.
Bus see Bourton-on-the-Water above.
For walking in the Cotswolds I recommend the Ordnance Survey Explorer map The Cotswolds which covers the area in great detail.
Cottages in Lower Slaughter built
from the local Cotswolds stone
